In 1989, as a young girl, Rose Nanyonga was forced to leave her family’s village in Uganda. She was alone and, as a female in Uganda without family protection, she had little hope. At the root of her forced departure was a conflict between Rose’s practicing of the Christian faith and her family’s desire for her to take part in witchcraft. Witchcraft, which can include the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice, is practiced in parts of Uganda and had driven a wedge between Rose and her family.

Upon leaving her village Rose began a 52 kilometer journey that would take her from her home village of Bamunanika to Kiwoko. Amidst the hopelessness of this journey she found Ian and Robbie Clarke, Irish citizens working to establish better medical care in Uganda. This encounter with the Clarke’s would forever alter the direction of Rose’s life. Under their care, Rose would once again be part of a family.

She also began a career in nursing which would lead to her working as Director of Clinical Operations at International Hospital Kampala (IHK) in Uganda. Today Rose balances responsibilities with IHK, a Ph.D program at Yale University, and assistance to numerous organizations including Narrow Road, where she serves as a board member. On July 11, 2009, with the support and company of individuals from 5 different countries, Rose walked the same 52 kilometers from Bamunanika to Kiwoko. This journey, 20 years after her initial footsteps on this path, was the beginning of a new pursuit that took place again on July 9, 2011.

On October 6, 2012 Rose will be joined by supporters in walking the same distance in the United States, in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

Rose is an ambassador for many in Uganda who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, and without hope. She holds their stories in her heart, and seeks others to help her in this cause. Specifically, Rose desires to provide opportunities for young girls to enter the medical profession. She seeks to provide medical care to those who need it most but do not have the means to pay for their treatment. And she seeks to raise the issue of child sacrifice so that additional lives are not needlessly lost. Rose’s Journey has three goals:

1.) Raise money for a scholarship fund assisting future Ugandan nurses.
2.) Raise money for use in the Hope Ward of IHK where charitable medical care is provided.
3.) Provide an additional platform to increase awareness about child sacrifice.

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